This page is dedicated to a variety of resources, ranging from Lawyer Referral Services, to Tenancy Issues, to Discrimination Cases. Click the links below for more information, or email us at president@studentlegal.org with any questions.
*With all issues, it is crucial that you collect as much proof as possible along the way.
Access Pro Bono: Lawyer Referral Service
APB's Lawyer Referral Service helps British Columbians of any income to find a suitable lawyer to serve their legal needs. Any member of the public may call the Lawyer Referral Service to obtain the contact information of a lawyer who will meet for a free half-hour legal consultation.
Any British Columbian may access APB’s Lawyer Referral Service by calling 1-800-663-1919 or (604) 687-3221 (in Metro Vancouver) from Monday to Friday–8:30am to 5:00pm. Email: lawyerreferral@accessprobono.ca
APB’s Lawyer Referral Service is not to be confused with legal aid
http://www.accessprobono.ca/lawyer-referral-service
Legal Services Society to British Columbians
In BC, legal aid is provided exclusively by the Legal Services Society British Columbians
Those who are very low income qualify for their services
Apply at a legal aid location near you or call 1-866-577-2525/ 604-408-2172 (Greater Vancouver
Their services include:
Information: get general information about the law
Advice: Get advice from a lawyer about your situation
Representation: Get a lawyer to take your case and represent you in court
Academic Appeals
Appeal a Grade at UBC:
To appeal a grade in graduate- level coursework see http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/okanagan/index.cfm?tree=3,294,0,0
Students may protest decisions relating to their academic standing. Students should protest a decision first with the faculty member directly involved in the decision, if applicable, and then, if necessary with the graduate advisor or department head, and finally with the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Apply for Student Aid:
You can ask for an appeal of your assessment of financial need if circumstances set you apart from other students.
All appeal requests are reviewed by StudentAid BC staff, who will consider the information you provide and review your supporting documentation.
You must show that your circumstances differ significantly from other students.
The link below will take you to an appeal request form.
Admission Appeals:
Applications are screened carefully by Enrolment Services. Applicants who believe that they have been unjustly denied admission or readmission to a program should first discuss the matter with their Admissions Evaluator . If a satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved, the applicant may submit a written appeal to Enrolment Services for review by the applicant's faculty or school responsible for the program to which the appellant has been refused. Appeals on admission or readmission decisions will be considered on applications for the current year only and must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the date of issue on the notification of an admission or readmission decision.
The appeal form (and appeal processing fee) along with (a) a letter of appeal outlining the reasons for the appeal and the circumstances relating to the appeal, and (b) any relevant supporting documents (see appeal form for details) must be submitted in one complete package to webforms.students.ubc.ca/admission-decision-appeal by the deadline.
Learn more here:
Tenancy Issues
Tenancy Agreements:
Landlords are required to prepare a written agreement for every tenancy. Even if a landlord doesn’t prepare one, the standard terms of a tenancy agreement still apply. Also, paying a security deposit establishes a tenancy, even if there is no written tenancy agreement and if the tenant never moves in.
Both landlords and tenants must sign and date the agreement. Landlords need to provide a printed copy to their tenants within 21 days of entering into the agreement
All tenancy agreements need to include standard terms that protect landlords and tenants and ensure that tenancy agreements are fair and balanced. These terms even apply when there is no written tenancy agreement.
If your agreement is not with the landlord, you will not have protection under the Residential Tenancy Act. This is common when an existing tenant allows a roommate to move in without getting the landlord’s agreement to add that person to the tenancy agreement.
Learn more here:
Tenancy Problems
What to do when problems occur during a tenancy
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/solving-problems
Understand your rights and responsibilities at the start of a tenancy, during a tenancy and when ending a tenancy.
Use this Solution Explorer to find helpful information, resources and template letters specific to your tenancy problem. Find out what you need to resolve your dispute and whether you may have a valid dispute resolution claim or if you need to take additional steps.
Contacts:
Contact the Residential Tenancy Branch for information, education and dispute resolution services for landlords and tenants.
Open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Learn more:
Tenant Resource Advisory Centre:
te the legal protection of residential tenants across British Columbia by providing information, education, support and research on residential tenancy matters.
TRAC provides legal education and information through their website, Tenant Infoline, online course, social media, multilingual resources and legal workshops. For eligible clients, TRAC offers direct advocacy by negotiating resolutions with problem landlords or providing representation at Residential Tenancy Branch dispute resolution hearings.
Learn more about TRAC:
Discrimination Cases
UBC Equity and Inclusion
UBC Equity and Inclusion
The Equity and Inclusion Office works with campus partners to ensure adherence with Employment Equity, Discrimination and Harassment, and the UBC Statement on the Respectful Environment
Their goal is to advance equity and human rights at UBC by promoting diversity, eliminating discrimination, and engaging the community in dialogue and action
They do this by:
Using a research-informed approach to all of their work.
Through education and leadership.
Supporting proactive initiatives, including managing conflict.
Learn more here:
How they can help:
Provide a range of services that support employment equity, education, leadership, and proactive initiatives while building a respectful environment
Their office is able to..
Provide information about university resources and make appropriate referrals
Identify and explain relevant university processes and policies
Assist students to explore options in dealing with conflicts
Facilitate discussions to seek resolution
Learn about additional resources:
Civil Cases
Small Claims How-to-Guides
Small claims processes in B.C. have changed.
As of June 1, 2017, the Civil Resolution Tribunal began resolving most small claims up to $5,000, and as of April 1, 2019 began resolving motor vehicle injury disputes up to $50,000 including accident benefit claims and minor injury determinations. The monetary jurisdiction for small claims cases in Provincial Court is $35,000 and simplified trials at Richmond and Robson Square include cases up to $10,000. Visit the Provincial Court of B.C. website and the Civil Resolution Tribunal website to learn more. Find information about the Civil Resolution Tribunal Act
A series of guides have been developed that may be helpful if you are pursuing, or involved in, a small claims court action. They provide:
An overview of the small claims process
The steps used in a typical small claims case
Answers to commonly asked questions
Learn more here:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/courthouse-services/small-claims/how-to-guides
Resources for Small Claims Cases
Sexual Assault and other Misconduct
SASC
SASC is committed to the education, support, and empowerment of people of all genders who are survivors of sexualized violence. They serve UBC students, staff, faculty, and people with a connection to the UBC campus through various resources and services
SASC is located in the UBC Nest (6133 University Boulevard) and is open 8am-10pm 7 days a week
Drop by during centre hours or schedule appointment them via phone (604-827-5180) or email sascassist@ams.ubc.ca
SVPRO
UBC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office is a safe and confidential place for students, faculty, and staff who have experienced sexual violence. This includes any attempt or act of a sexual nature without your consent. All gender identities, expressions, and sexualities are welcome.
How they can help:
You do not need to go to a hospital or make a police report to use their services.
They can: help you find a safe place to stay, arrange academic concessions, coordinate workplace accommodations, explain your reporting options, and accompany you to the hospital, police or court.
You can call the SVPRO office as soon as possible for support at 604-822-1588 (Mon to Fri 8:30-4:30 pm).
Learn more here:
General Resources:
AMS Advocacy
https://www.ams.ubc.ca/student-services/advocacy-ombuds/
The AMS Advocacy Office provides confidential guidance to undergraduate students who are in formal conflicts with the university. These include academic disputes, non-academic disputes, house appeals, library fines, and parking disputes.
AMS Advocacy is always pro student
Office hours are by appointment only. Call 604-822-9855 or contact advocate@ams.ubc.ca to book an appointment or for more information
https://www.ams.ubc.ca/student-services/advocacy-ombuds/#!/tab/advocacy-office/
AMS Ombudsperson
Runs independently from all administrative bodies, acts impartially, and provides confidential services
Provides conflict resolution services which include:
Providing conflict management services to AMS clubs and constituencies undergoing internal conflicts
Receiving and investigating complaints about the AMS
Goal is to help steer conflicts towards a productive, positive direction
Contact the ombudsperson via email or telephone to set up an appointment. You can also drop by during office hours.
604-822-4846
Nest 3119
More info:
Additional Resources:
Ranges from: UBC Support Resources, Health Care Resources, Community Based Support Centres, Safety and Reporting
The Law Students Legal Advice Program (LSLAP) is a non-profit run by law students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. We provide free legal advice and representation to clients in the Lower Mainland who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance. In 2019, LSLAP identified a gap in student representation in lower-level litigation matters and entered into a partnership with the SLFS to address this issue. As a result, the SLFS Clinic was created. The SLFS Clinic specifically focuses on legal issues that UBC students face. If you are a UBC student seeking legal advice and assistance, please call the LSLAP Switchboard at 604-822-5791 to book an intake with the SLFS Clinic.
How our service works to help you with your legal issue:
1. While the phone operator cannot provide any legal advice over the phone, you will be scheduled for an intake with a current law student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
2. The law student cannot legally give you any legal advice during that initial phone intake. However, they will collect details about the legal issue you are facing in order to help you.
3. The law student will then set up a meeting with a supervisor lawyer and go over your legal issue with the supervising lawyer. They will work with the supervising lawyer to check whether they can represent you. Should they determine that you can be accepted as a client, you now have an LSLAP clinician that has been assigned to your case.
4. Your LSLAP clinician will create a scope of work plan with the supervising lawyer and get back to you within two weeks of your intake to apprise you of the situation and what can be done.
5. Your LSLAP clinician will then work collaboratively with the supervising lawyer to assist you in every step of your legal issue, all the way to court should your case necessitate that.
6. In case the law student and supervising lawyer determine that your issue is not within the purview covered by LSLAP, they will provide you with resources and direct you to other services that will be better suited to assist you with your issue. You can be assured that you will not be left to your own devices if you decide to approach LSLAP with your issues. We will direct you to the right person.
Please find more information at www.lslap.bc.ca to explore the areas of law and types of legal assistance LSLAP engages in. Please find information regarding who we can help at https://www.lslap.bc.ca